Avalanche cut 13 ahead of Rampage camp opening

The Avalanche have finally made a hefty cut heading into the final game of their three games in three days and the home stretch of the preseason. This announcement brings the roster to 32 with another few final cuts on the horizon before cap compliant day on October 3rd. There’s a lot to unpack here so let’s get to it.

The flavor of this 13 player cut is to fill out the Rampage roster for camp, which is opening tomorrow on Tuesday, September 26th. Both goalies Spencer Martin and Joe Cannata were on the list as well as forwards who got a good look in several preseason games such as Felix Girard, Andrew Agozzino, Rocco Grimaldi, Brady Shaw, Brendan Ranford, Trent Vogelhuber and Alex Belzile. All had pretty good showings for themselves in the games and should provide ample callup depth for those on NHL contract. Shawn St-Amant was injured in the Rookie Showcase and unfortunately wasn’t able to participate in any Avalanche camp or preseason but hopefully he can attend the Rampage camp. On the defensive side of things the cuts were Jesse Graham, Nolan De Jong and Mason Geertsen.

At this point, noting who remains is still as interesting as who has been sent away. Conor Timmins still hasn’t been sent back to juniors after a couple strong games. Timmins making the roster is impossible unless he’s signed but they could do him a favor and at least give him a contract. It’s possible he gets in another game before going back north as well.

The camp battle continues for those with a real shot at the roster and the cut after tonight’s game in Dallas should be the most interesting one. So stay tuned.

Looking at who’s left at this point and assuming 14 forwards/ 7 defensemen are kept. Also assuming no one starts on IR.

18 forwards. If we assume that Compher and Jost are both locks to make the roster, then 4 of the following will have to get cut:

Bourque
Greer
Kerfoot
Petryk
Toninato

12 defensemen left. Boikov is injured and will be sent down when he is healthy. Cowen should get released from his PTO. Timmins is still without a contract and likely to be returned to his junior team. That leaves 9 guys left. So two of the following week have to get cut:

I don’t think it’s even that King. Bigras has been pretty good so far this preseason from all accounts but he needs, imo, to be impressive enough that he’s a lock for the 5th spot. It would be a waste for him, especially after missing so much time with injury, to be the 6th/7th d-man and spend time on nachos. He, and the team, would be much better off with him getting 20+ mins in SA then 10-13mins or worse, nachos. on the big squad.

Unless Siemens keeps flailing which sounds like he might be close to doing, then that would force the Avs’ hand. That or Duchene gets traded and an NHL D-man comes back in the return, but who are we kidding here. The Avs have a better chance making the playoffs at this point then Sakic ever pulling the tiger on that anytime soon.